God-Touched

Getting Inside, Part One

In which the intrepid heroes storm the compound

HarryHarry’s unloading red, black, and yellow cloth from the trunk of the car, as well as a cheap poker table.

MikeMike just raises an eyebrow at that. “What’s with the Poker table?”

HarryClothes patterns, sewing kit, shears…

SanuraAs they wait for time to roll out and handle things Sanura wanders over to see what Harry is about. “Oh geeze..” a frown curls her lips “this is.. not going to be a man cave” she warns sternly.

Harry“Updating the look.”

SanuraShe purses her lips and then a smile quirks lightly.. “wait.. you sew for yourself?” a small grin forming. Had she been feline in form her tail would be twitching with amusement.

Mike“You’re the only chick staying here, Sanura. Sophia doesn’t count, because she’ll enjoy whatever.” He looks at Harry. “In all your millions of dollars, couldn’t you afford a private contractor or something to install some toiletries in here? Shower and such? Seems like, from what you’ve had to do, we might need it.”

HarryHe sits down, unrolls patterns, and a measuring strip. “Wasn’t always rich. Used to be just me and Mom in a trailer in Alabama, and I actually paid some attention in home ec.” He starts marking out edges. “I could have this place turned into a mansion, but frankly, that’s alot of paperwork that might come back and bite us in the ass later.”

SanuraShe stiffens “Firstly I’m not a -chick- and secondly Sofia counts just as much as you do you jerk” she gestures to Harry “and he’s right .. we don’t need that kind of trail leading here.. though we will have to figure something out.. I don’t trust -you- with a wrench”

Harry“That’s the problem, this isn’t the 1940s Wayne Mansion, in the family forever with natural caverns underneath, it’s a warehouse, recently purchased, in the city. That’s paperwork.”

HarryHe cuts out his pieces freehand, while talking and looking at them. Epic Dexterity was not just speed, but precision as well.

SanuraCrossing her arms she walks over to watch Harry work, nothing better to do at the moment she’s curious about the style he’s going to go for. “How often do you change up your ‘costume’?”

Harry“Well, the last one was more of a throw-together once I got into town. Red pants, red hoodie, motorcycle and paintball armor. Easy to explain away. Now that I’m getting stuck in, I’m going to want something more conspicuous, and less covered in hitman blood.”

SanuraSanura checks out the fabric. “machine washable I guess?” she purses her lips and tilts her head to one side. “I could make you some leather wrist guards or something like that.. if you’d like?”

Harry“I’m thinking some flame and lightning details down the sides, maybe a flash across the brow like my scar.”

SanuraShe snorts softly “well that defintely sounds made to be seen”

Harry“Well, when I push my powers to the limit, I’ve had some lightning effects, and, well, fire’s awesome.”

Mike“Yeah, I thought the whole point was to NOT be noticed… that right there sounds like something that would get people to notice you, AND figure out who you are… technology nowadays, it’s not hard to figure out who someone is just by body build.”

SanuraSanura purses her lips a little, the idea of making leather armor interesting her now. She takes out her smart phone and starts doing a little search for patterns. “Oh yeah real awesome..” shaking her head a little bit.

Malif“Are the rest of us shopping for something to go raid the place in, or is time of the essence?”

Harry“Well, now that Sanura’s given me the idea, I could go buy a ton of camping gear and shit.”

Mike“I could actually use some new threads… if I go in like this, there goes my rock career.”

Malif“I’m not sure Rock discourages antics like this at all, really, but I know what you mean.”

SanuraSanura shrugs “I guess we could stop for a ski mask or something?” she suggests to Mike as she puts her phone away and gathers her things.

STAlejandro paces around at the back of the warehouse silently, checking his phone and pocketing it again at intervals. Angela cranes her neck to get a better look at Harry’s project but stays by Naomi’s side.

MikeMike looks at Alejandro. “Waiting on a hot chick to call you back?”

STJoanna floats over to Harry. “Why the fuck are we waiting around and playing house? There are children to fucking rescue, you know.”

SanuraSanura casts a glare at Mike,.. again with the chick thing.

Malif“Seems like it might be harder to convince them that we work for them if we show up in odd costumes, though…”

HarryBy hand, he starts stitching up a homemade hoodie, with patterns on it.

Mike“You don’t need to worry about it, but the rest of us have an image to keep… we can’t all be invisible, Joanna. We need disguises.”

MikeMike would turn to Malif. “Well, in our cases, you’ll be the one that talks remember?”

STAlejandro stops his pacing, the smooth stillness a sharp contrast to his previous nervous activity. He gives Mike a bit of a smile and says, “No. Just restless.”

Mike“If your plan goes smoothly, none of us will ever be seen.” He looks at Alejandro. “About what? You’ve been staring at that phone like you were waiting for someone to call.”

Malif“Never be seen? How is that possible, since the plan was to walk up and talk to them?”

Mike“I meant the rest of us. You’re the talkative one. YOU’D be seen.”

ST“I’m waiting for us to get started, of course,” Alejandro replies. “As for the phone… force of habit, I suppose.”

Mike“But we shouldn’t be seen unless we move past Plan A.”

Malif"Fair enough. "

HarryHe sets aside the basic hoodie, and starts in on the pants.

SanuraShouldering her bag she glances to Alejandro “I guess we’re on get away duty?” gaze turning to Harry “is your rental off limits?” she questions, thinking another vehicle would be a good idea.

ST“Are you kidding me? Playing dress-up is more important than rescuing children?”

Harry“What rental?”

Harry“The BMW? I bought that.”

SanuraShe guestures outside to the high dollar car he’d pulled up in earlier and then blinks. “wow must be nice.. so I guess it is out of the question” she purses her lips and shrugs, one car would have to do it.

MikeMike sighs and looks at a blank part of the room. “Look. If we do this, and we get our faces and looks seen, it won’t matter if we save the children! We’ll be found, we’ll be attacked, we’ll be tortured, we’ll be killed, and they’ll just steal the children again! Anonymity is our friend here! I COULD make us completely anonymous if SOMEPEOPLEWOULDAGREE TO MY PLAN!” He raised his voice to encompass the warehouse.

Harry“Use it if you want.” He tosses her the keys.

Harry“Mike. Calm the hell down.”

MalifMalif raises an eyebrow at the petulant musician. “What plan?”

Mike“For me to just instantly put everyone in the complex to sleep!”

SanuraSanura catches the keys deftly and smiles a little, she wasn’t beyond appreciating a little opulence after all. She toys with the keys making them klink against one another. “and if it doesn’t work?.. that’s quite an area you want to effect are you sure you can do it?”

ST“Um… speaking of plans, I’m still unclear on which one we’re actually going with,” Angela says.

Mike“I have confidence in my abilities.” He then looks at Angela. “What was your plan again?”

Malif“Well if you CAN put them all to sleep, that sounds pretty ideal.”

ST“Well, Naomi and I could try to lure all the guards somewhere away from the children. And then some of you can sneak in through the back to get them out… and some of you can take care of any guards who decide to stay behind.”

Mike“That’s what I thought when I said I could do it earlier… but everyone said no.”

Harry“The first idea was warning the kids with the ghost, followed by Malif going in the front, and mindbending them to just give us the kids.”

Malif“Tell you what. Let me talk to them first, and if that plan fails, sleeptime is plan B. If that also fails, superhero time is plan C?”

Harry“The second idea was the sleep blast.”

Harry“The third was me and Angela coming in the back and just making a mess of them.”

Harry“If we do it in that order, we have the best chance of getting the kids out alive.”

MalifMalif nods. “Yes, as I was just saying myself. Are all agreed?”

Harry“If we’re very lucky, between the ghost leaping bodies and Malif doing the Jedi thing, we can just walk out with them.”

Harry“If not, you get to hose them with music.”

MikeMike sighs. “Yes, fine. Let’s just get this done, then. Joanna’s kinda nagging about getting it done.” He looks at where Joanna is. “You think you can behave and not get angry when meeting with Brendan?”

HarryHe hoists the pants, checking them out.

Harry“Needs paint.”

MalifMalif nods, “Ready when you folks are.”

HarryHe grabs a ketchup bottle full of yellow paint and does up the front lip of the hood.

Mike“It is NOT just now… you’ve had a major attitude problem since I found you at that school! At times, I mistake you for an evil spirit, but I know better. You’re just anxious to save these kids. I get it! But being angry all the time won’t solve ANYTHING! I need you with a cool head in there, Joanna. Promise me that you’ll keep a cool head… please, Joanna.” He sounded chastising towards the beginning of the speech, but then sounded sympathetic and almost pleading towards the end.

Harry“I wanted the -knives- for the fight, but okay, apparently I’m strong enough to crush a jaw with a knee thrust.”

Sanura“I figure you all can ride with Alex on the way and we can split into teams once we’ve got the kids” she suggests, trying out the american version of Alejandro’s name and glancing over to see how he respons.

ST“You’re not fucking hearing a word I’m saying! I want to get to the gods-be-damned RESCUING! I’m not going to jeopardize that if I can help it.”

MikeMike looks back at the empty space. “Then promise me! Or do I need to hypnotize you to make you complacent? Or worse, leave you here?”

ST“News flash: I’m fucking DEAD. You can’t do SHIT to me.”

Malif“Oh dear, sounds like we’re having quite the ghost drama…”

Mike“News flash: I command the undead! If I want to command you to stay here, I CAN!”

Harry“Oooh shit.”

HarryHarry -runs-.

MalifMalif looks over at the vanishing Harry, and starts to back away from the ghost drama nervously.

ST“Oh yeah? I’d like to see you fucking try.”

SanuraSanura taps her toe impatiently and walks towards the doors. waiting next to them.

Malif“Yes, lets be going, shall we? Without undead vengeances?”

SanuraSanura nods “who’s riding back with me once we get the kiddies?” rolling up the sleeves of her blouse.

MalifMalif shrugs. “If we even need to split up, I can go with.”

STIn normal circumstances this situation would be awkward. It’s twice as awkward only being able to see half the argument. Angela and Naomi glance at each other before Naomi releases her hand and steps forward towards Mike.
“I’ll just… wait in the car,” says Angela quietly, almost literally disappearing from the warehouse.
“Enough!” snarls Alejandro. “Stop!” The command cuts through everything else. All those still in the warehouse find themselves frozen before another thought. (( Hard Sell )) He takes a deep breath and walks up to Mike. “I don’t know what’s going on with the ghost, but judging from your side of things you’re acting less mature than Sofia,” he says quietly and calmly. “Is Joanna a danger to this mission?” he asks.

HarryYou find Harry on the roof of a nearby building.

SanuraSanura purses her lips and is silent letting him handle this shite.

Mike“I put no words in your mouth. Your anger nearly cost us a lead before. If you want to come along badly enough, prove it. Set aside your anger, and promise me you’ll keep a level head in the house.”

MalifMalif walks out towards the car.

HarryHarry jumps down, landing on top of the van with the impact of a feather.

STAlejandro sends Naomi a pointed look. “Is she? You and Angela know her better than any of us.”
“In life, Joanna took a vow to protect children,” says Naomi. “If she’s still here, she must take that vow very seriously.”

SanuraSanura makes sure she’s got the right directions and then climbs behind the wheel of the luxury car and adjusts the seat and mirrors for her diminutive height. She glances in the rearview and smooths a hand over her hair, ready to go.

MalifMalif climbs into the car as well, hoping Mike won’t be much longer.

Harry“Angela! Riding or running?”

ST“No fucking shit,” mutters Joanna, floating over to Naomi. “Naomi, you never answer questions directly. I’m not a fucking threat to this mission. Gods, why can’t you hear me!?”

STAngela blows a breath out shortly after exiting the warehouse. “Riding. I want to be ready in case shit hits the fan.”

HarryHe steps off the top of the van, landing next to her. “Alright. Might have to run back to make room for the kids though.”

STShe grins. “That I can do.”

Mike“Naomi can’t hear you because she’s probably not as attuned to death as I am. I mean, hell. My dad’s the God of Death! From the same Pantheon as your parent! I think that has a better connection than with you and Naomi.” He sighs, calming himself down. It wasn’t going to help to have two angry people on this job. “Just… please, Joanna… if not for me, for the children you could help save… promise me you won’t let your anger control you.”

ST“I’m not fucking going to! I’m only angry because we’re taking our sweet-ass time getting to the rescuing! That’s what I’ve been saying this entire time. You just haven’t been fucking listening to me.”

MikeMike sighs. “Joanna… I’m sorry…” He stares straight at Joanna, eyes flaring with his Ichor. “Stay in this Warehouse until I return!”

ST“As-fucking-IF.” She floats to the warehouse’s exit, but pauses.

MikeMike smiles. “What’s the matter, Joanna? Can’t leave?”

Harry“Don’t tease the ghost, moron!”

ST“You motherfucker. I’m gonna get you for this.”

Mike“Get me AFTER the children are safe.” He looks at the others. “Let’s get this done.”

STAlejandro sighs and shakes his head. “Okay, so that’s one plan out the window.” He heads out of the warehouse and confers with Sanura as to the meeting place.
Naomi, her expression as inscruitable as ever, says to Mike, “A restless spirit needs to finish her unfinished business before she’s laid to rest.” With that she leaves the warehouse.

MikeMike sighs. “We’ll finish it, Joanna… just because you couldn’t make a promise, doesn’t mean that I can’t. I make a promise to you… we WILL save those children, or die trying. This is a vow I make on my father’s will. Hear it now… for it will come to pass.” He’d bow to her and leave the warehouse.

STThick forests border both sides of the gravel lane that leads from the main road to the place located on Angela’s GPS. The trip takes a good hour, the last half-hour spent on winding, one-lane forest roads. Oaks, maples, elms, and pines cluster together, their branches lacing like clasped hands to block out the light from the moon and stars.
Alejandro turns his lights off at the last turn and pulls into a clearing at the agreed-upon distance away from the compound (which can be spotted a ways through the trees), keeping the car running. “We’re here,” he says to the passengers.

Mike“Alright… so what’s the skinny? Are we still gonna go with Plan A, but without Joanna letting the kids know what’s going on?”

SanuraSanura mimics his stealthy approach, leaving the car running and stepping out to talk with the others.

Harry“Looks like that’s the only option, unless you can whistle up some random spook.”

Mike“You know, there’s an idea… I could just summon a bunch of zombies to attack one side while we sneak in and get the kids out the other way… my zombies are pretty resilient, and won’t go down easy.”

Harry“Let’s hold off on storming a compound full of superkids with zombies.”

SanuraSanura tilts her head a bit “sounds like something to do in concert with Angela and Naomi attacking and drawing the guards away.”

Malif“Leave stealth and trickery to those of us that are good at it, rocker boy.” Malif gets out of the car, smooths his clothes to make sure he is presentable. “We ready?”

Harry“Angela, you and me, to the back of the place, let’s find a way in if we need it.”

STAngela nods.

HarryHarry grabs his bag, and zips out.

Mike“I’ll stay behind, but close enough I can hear you guys if you need help. Just make some sort of pun about them going to sleep, and they’ll sleep. I guarantee it.”

STHarry’s followed shortly thereafter by a blur.

HarryLooking for a place to hide, as well as getting into my new Speed Demon gear.

STA twelve-foot-tall stone fence surrounds the entire compound, painted in camouflage colors to help hide it from sight, and video cameras mounted on swivel joints are posted every ten feet along the fence, as well as atop the roof of every building. None of the buildings are taller than two stories. Via Sheila’s and Angela’s reports, one set of guards completely circumnavigate the perimeter of the wall every thirty minutes. Camouflage netting is strung from trees and posts above the roofs of the highest buildings in the compound to hide it from aerial view.

ST(( Malif, roll Manip + Presence ))

Malif7

STThe security cameras seem to gleam at Malif as he approaches the gate. After a few tense moments nothing seems to happen, no alert raised, nothing. There’s an intercom embedded into the wall.

MalifMalif presses the button casually, waiting with his hands clasped in front of him.

Malif“My apologies, I don’t speak italian, but Father O’Brien has sent me. If you could be so kind as to see me in, please?”

STThere’s a long silence on the other end. A different voice comes on the line. “Sorry, it’s protocol, sir. Say the keyphrase and I can let you in.”

MalifMalif puts on a disbelieving expression for the camera. “I was ASSURED the keyphrase would not be required for ME! Listen, friend, I’m just here to pick up and move the children. If you can’t let me in, just bring them out instead.” (God’s Honest again)

STThere’s another long silence.

ST“Please proceed, sir.” The gate opens, allowing Malif in.

ST(( Wits + Empathy ))

Malif6

Malifkeeping Social Chameleon going too.

MalifMalif steps inside, with an expression on his face that implies he’s important and its about time they let him in.

ST(( Dodge DV? ))

Malifa mighty 5

ST(( Okay, rolling now ))

STMalif collapses to the ground. The gates begin to shut and guards close in over him.